Safety attachment for moving picture apparatus



A. SZELIGA April 18, 1933.

SAFETY ATTACHMENT FOR MOVING PICTURE APPARATUS Filed April 25, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet l gnmnhyo 8H0: an

A. SZELIGA April 18, 1933.

SAFETY ATTACHMENT FOR MOVING PICTURE APPARATUS Filed April 23, 19151 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 18, 1933.

A. SZE LIGA SAFETY ATTACHMENT FOR MOVING PICTURE APPARATUS Filed April 23, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Apr. 18, 1933 UNITED sTA'ras PATENT OFFICE ANTON SZELIGA, 0] NEW You H. Y ASSIGNOB OI ONE-HALF 1'0 NEW YORK, N. Y.

FREDERICK TIGHY, OF

SAFETY ATTACEIIN'! FOB MOVING PICTURE APPARATUS Application ma a i-n as, 1931. Serial in. 532,333.

My invention relates to an attachment for movin picture apparatus, and more particular y to such devices as are used in conjunction with the projecting machine to preventfires or explosions due to the inflammability of the film employed in said apparatus. v

As is known, films used in combination with moving picture exhibitingmachines are highly inflammable, and, as a general rule, fires which have takenplace in movin icture theaters or halls where such exhibitions take place originated in the picture exhibiting machine itself, the film havin been inflamed either by the source of ight employed in the machine or by external means through the neglect and carelessness of the operator.

The objects of the present invention are,. to provide an attachment of the character p above described capable of being manufactured at a low cost and which can be easily, quickly and cheaply applied to all the standard and existing forms of moving picture exhibiting machines, and at the same time will be foolproof, positive and unfailing in its operation, and as soon as the film becomes ignited automatically severs the same and; instantaneously cuts out the burning section of the film and stops the motor actuating the film feeding mechanism, thereby preventing the spread of the fire to the severed and separated portions of the unwound and rewound pictures of the. film and. other inflammable portions within the operators booth..

Another object of the invention is to construct and arrange the difi'erent elements comprising the attachment whereby the actuating parts are held in the operative and proper position and the film is properly adjusted and threaded through the exhibiting machine only when the energizing elec trical current 'is properly passing through the mechanism on a closed circuit, thereby eliminating all questions of personal equation, and assures that the safety attachment will perform its functions under all conditions for which it is designed independent that it may be operated in connection with 7 either direct or alternating current without change, substitution or alteration of parts, by the simple operation of a single switch operating mechanism.

Other objects and advantages of applicants invention will appear from the detailed description of the several parts, the mode of assembling the same. and manner of cooperation to be resently explained.

a The invention consists of structural characteristics and relative arrangement of elements to be hereinafter more fully disclosed and particularly pointed out in the apnded claims.

In the three sheets of drawings, in which similar reference characters indicate the same parts in the several figures:

Figure 1 is a side elevation, somewhat diagrammatic in nature, of snifiicient of a picture projecting machine to illustrate the manner in which this invention is adapted thereto;-

Figure 2 is a side elevation, partly in section and on a larger scale than Figure 1, showing the upper member of the mechanism constituting this invention;

Figure 3 is a top plan viewof the parts shown in Figure 2; I

Figure 4 is an opposite side elevation showing the lower. member of the mechanism;

Figure 5 is a top plan view of theqparts shown in Figure 4; and,

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical circuit system employed in connection with this invention.

Referring, in thefirst instance, to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown of a picture projecting machine the upper film magand upper casing 14 having a door 14 and engaged by various ide and feed rollers, in a manner to be ereinafter more fully described, and passes through a box-like structure comprising a central casin 13 a lower casing 15 having a door 15'. The upper casing contains the cutter mechanism adapted to act upon the film at a oint adjacent the upper magazine 10, whic mechanism is-illustrated in detail in Figures 2 and 3; and the lower casing contains similar mechanism adapted to act upon the film adjacent the lower magazine 11, and which is illustrated in detail in Figures 4 and 5.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, there is shown a box-like member 16, which is to be mounted between the magazine 10 and the central casing 13, Figure 1. The film F passes through a slot 16 in the ,upper member of this structure,being engaged on opposite sides thereof by feed rollers 17 17, and guide rollers 18, 18, and looped in chamber 16, as shown in Figure 2.

Laterally projecting from and in horizontal alinement with the top face of the upper member of the box 16 is a plate 19, upon the upper face of which is slidable mounted a blade 20, the inner edge of whic is a knife edge 21, and the outer edge of which has secured to it an extrusion 22 terminating in a finger ring 23.

Projecting laterally and upwardly from the member 22 is a standard 24, upon which is pivotally mounted a lever 25, the inner end of which is connected by means of a coiled spring 26 with a post 27 upstanding from the plate 19. The outer end of the lever 25 is in the form of a hook 28 adapted to be engaged by a trigger 29, upon a lever 30 pivotally mounted at 31. The lever 30 constitutes the armature for a magnetic coil 32 and, when the latter is energized, is held in the position shown.

Mounted upon an insulated plate 33 above the plate 19 is a double pole switch 34'and a pa1r of resistance coils 35. jlhe switch 34 is adapted to accommodate either direct or alternating current, and the wiring system is such that when the switch is thrown to one pole, when alternating current is employed, it passes directly to the coil 32.

en, on the other hand, direct current is employed and the switch is thrown to the other pole, the current passes through the block 36 is secured a spring 38 adapted to bear against the blade 20 and maintain it in contact with the plate 19 and prevent jumping or vibration.

Above the box-like structure 16 and in communication with chamber 16" and with in which are mounted a pair of thermostatic bars 40, which are included in the wir' system of the device. In order that these bars may be conveniently applied and replaced, t able lid 41.

' Contained within the lower casing 15, Figure 1, is a duplicate knife and control mechanism, which is illustrated in detail in Figures 4 and 5. The mechanism, in this case, is mounted upon a plate 19', which is secuied within the lower portion of the casi 5.

erein, the film is adapted to pass through a slot 19" in the plate 19 and to be engaged by a feed roller 17 and guide rollers 18, and from hence it passes into the magazine ferring now to Figure 6, wherein is shown the wiring plan employed in connection with this invention, the various electrical elements are shown. Current, either direct or alternating, is supplied from a power line 42, 43,-and the circuit is established and controlled by means of a master switch 44. When alternating current is be-' ing employed, the upper'and lower double po e switches 34 are thrown to the A. C. pole and the circuit is established through the master switch 44, the lower switch 34,

the lower magnetic coil 32, the upper switch 34, the thermostatic bars 40, the u per magnetic coil 32, and back through t e master switch 44 to the wer line.

In the event t at direct current is being employed, the double pole switches .34 are thrown to their D. C. poles and the established circuit is through the master switch 44, the lower switch 34, the lower pair of resistance coils 35, the lower magnetic coil 32, the upper switch 34, the upper pair of resistance coils 35, the thermostatic bars 40, the upper magnetic coil 32, and back through the master switch 44 to the power line.

The 0 ration of the device is as follows:

The ouble pole switches 34 are first thrown to accord with the variety of current being supplied and the master switch is then closed, establishing the circuits.

The finger rings 23 are then grasped and pulled outwardly. As each one is withrawn, the plate 22 and blade 20, with attendant arts, are retracted against the action of t e spring 26 until the hook 28 on the lever 25 is pulled clear of the trigger 29 on the lever 30. This lever, constituting the armature for the magnetic coil 32, is maintained in position thereby and the book 28 is permitted to engage-and be retained in retracted position by the trigger 29.

As soon as both the upper and lower elee box 39 is provided with a detach- III ments have been properly adjusted, or set, in this manner, the film is threaded from the upper magazine 10 through the casings 14, 13 and 15 past and between the various feed and guide rollers, and engaged with the reel in the lower magazine 11. Projection of the picture may then proceed.

In the event that the film catches fire in its exposed position within the casing 13, it is essential that the blazing portion instantly severed from adjacent portions so that fire be prevented from entering either of the film magazines.

As soon as a fire starts inside the casing 13, the heat from it passes upwardly through the box-like structure 16 into the chamber 16, enclosed by the structure 39 and lid 41, and acts therein upon the thermostatic bars 40. These are of such predetermined sensitivity that they are immediately warped or bent, and the electrical circuit therethrough is thus destroyed.

The magnetic coils 32 being thereby deenergized release their armatures, the levers 30, and under the action of the coiled springs 26 the hooks 28 on the levers 25 are freed from engagement with the trigger 29 on the levers 30 and the blades 20 shoot forward. Their knife edges 21 sever the film and, under the pressure of the springs 38, the blades are held firmly against the respective plates 19 and 19 covering the slots therein through which the film normally passes.

This entire series of operations takes place substantially instantaneously and the blazing section of film is permitted to burn itself out within the casing 13, making it impossiblefor the fire to spread into either of the film magazines. I

When the thus localized fire is over, the inside of-the casing 13 is permitted to be cooled and cleaned, a new pair of thermostatic bars 40 is inserted in place, if found necessary, the cutting mechanisms are reset, the film is again threaded through the rollers, united at its out ends, and the projection proceeds.

.It is, of course, to be understood that various changes and alterations may be made in the mechanical details of structure and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of this invention. Such changes will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and require no specific illustration or description. They are to be understood as contemplated within the invention insofar as they fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a film cutting device, the combination of a slotted base plate, means for feeding a film through said slot, a cutter reciprocally mounted upon said base plate, a pivotally mounted lever carried by said cutter,

spring means engaging one arm of said lever and tending to maintain it in one extreme position and with said cutter projected across the slot, means for retracting said cutter against the action of said spring means, an electric magnetic coil, a pivotally mounted armature therefor cooperating with said lever to maintain said cutter in retracted position when said magnetic coil is energized, and thermostatic means for controlling the supply of current to said magnetic coil.

2. In a film cutting device, the combination of a slotted base plate, means for feeding a film through said slot, a cutter reciprocally mounted upon said base plate, spring means for projecting said cutter across the slot, means for retracting said cutter against the action of said spring means, means for retaining said cutter in a retracted position,

electric means adapted to be operated by either direct or alternating current for actuatingsaid retaining means, a double pole switch to select the electric circuit to be employed, and thermostatic means for controlling said electric means.

3. In. a film cutting device, the combination of a slotted base plate, means for feeding a film through said slot, a cutter recipro-'.

cally mounted upon said base plate, spring means for maintaining said cutter in operative engagement with said base plate, spring 7 ating said retaining means, and thermostatic means for controlling said electric means.

4. In a film cutting device, the combination of a slotted base plate, means for feeding a film through 'said slot, a cutter reciprocally mounted upon said base plate, a lever pivotally mounted upon said cutter, a spring having one end secured to said base plate and the other end secured to one arm of said lever, a hook on the other arm of said lever, means for retracting said cutter against the action of said spring, a trigger adapted to engage said hook to maintain said lever in position to retain said cutter in a retracted position, electric means for actuating said trigger, and thermostatic means for controlling said electric means.

5. In a picture projecting machine, the combination of upper and lower film magazines, means for guiding a film therebetween, an enclosure for said film guiding position with said hook by said electric circuit for retaining said cutting means in an inoperative or set position, and thermo= static means for interrupting said electric 5 circuit and releasing said locked armature.

6. In a film cutting device, the combination of a slotted base plate, means for feeding a film through said slot, a cutter reciprocally mounted upon said base plate, spring means for projecting said cutter across the slot, means for retracting said cutter against the action of said spring means, a pivotally mounted lever provided with a hook at its free end and carried by and moving with said cutter, an electro-magnet having a pivotally mounted armature supported by said base plate and adapted toengage with said hook of first named lever to retain said outter in retracted or imoperative position, an electric circuit for energizing said electromagnet and holding said armature and hook in engagement, and thermostatic means controlling said electric circuit.

7. In a picture projecting machine, the combination of upper and lower film magazines, means for guiding a film therebetween, means for cutting the film at a point adjacent the upper magazine, means for cutting the film at a point adjacent the lower magazine, means for retracting each of said cutting means, an electrically energized means for retaining each of said cutting means in a retracted or inoperative position, an electric circuit for actuating or 3 energizing each of said retaining means,

an alternate current pole or terminal, a direct current pole or terminal connected with said electric circuit, a resistance interposed between the direct current pole and said electric circuit, a double pole switch for each of said electric circuits andcooperating with said alternate or direct current pole to 'select the electric current to be employed. and a single thermostatic means connected in the electric circuit for simultaneously controlling both of said electrically energized and cutting means.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto afiix my signature. ANTON SZELIGA. 

